We went back to the Madison Children's Museum again today. We have been there several times before with friends and out of town family. Sam and Avery both love it.
Even though the crowds were awful today we still had a really great time. Avery is becoming much more of a challenge though. She is all over the place but of course not quite able to do or wanting to do the same things as Sam. This makes it a challenge to do by myself. But we made it work. And discovered some new things while we were at it!
This doesn't really have anything to do with nature or being green but it was just too funny. Avery discovered her love of brooms! She walked around with these things for a long time.
And this one was just too cute!
Okay, now on to our nature related discoveries from today!
This place is full of mosaics and pictures. With a little bit of encouragement and guidance from me, Sam had fun hunting for animals.
But the big hit from today was that the rooftop was open (which it hasn't been the last few times because it was winter!).
Sam was convinced that these chickens NEEDED to eat their apple pieces. Poor things. Eventually I convinced her that they must not be hungry.
Love going to places we have been before and finding new things we haven't seen. Although places like children's museums don't seem to ever run out of entertainment no matter how many times we go.
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The Nitty Gritty!
A lot of our field trips, activities and outdoor experiences right now involve a lot of observing, noticing and pointing out of things. This seems like such a simple idea but Sam at three years old already seems to slow down and notice more things than most kids do. She will see a bird at the top of a tree, a creek as we drive by, neat looking clouds, a pretty flower or a seed on the ground. Her eyes are open when she is outside and even when she is inside. My dad use to work with me on "seeing", that is what he called it, it's just being observant. Growing up, when we would spot something on a trail or from the car my dad would say "good eyes!". Doesn't really make much sense when I really think about it but it is the best way to acknowledge and encourage in that situation. I use the same phrase with Sam.
With children having fast paced images flashed at them all the time and in school being forced to learn at a very fast pace their little minds get use to processing things quickly. More quickly than they should. Training them to slow down, notice the small things and learn to really observe can help them be able to focus even better when things are moving faster.
Okay, enough education theory babble.
I was super excited to see the chickens and other birds that Sam and Avery got to check out. Their exposure to farm animals is quite limited. I would love to find a local, working farm, with big animals that they could see. I just think Sam would really enjoy seeing where cows and horses eat, sleep and spend their days.
I also wanted to pass along this great challenge that is going on at my friend's blog - Nature Trails and Nature Tales. She is helping to motivate me to really think about topics and activities that I want to do with the girls this spring. I am hoping to join in the challenge and get back to doing more structured activities! Check it out and join in!
that rooftop garden area is so cool! I wish we had a awesome museum like that here. Maybe we have something close by I'll have to check that out. love the mosaic so pretty I'd love to make something with my girls that uses mosaic tiles.
Thanks for the plug I can't wait to get back to our roots :) I know we are going to have so much fun.
Have a great weekend and stay warm.
Posted by: Nature Trails and Nature Tales | 03/25/2011 at 06:06 PM
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Even though the crowds were awful today we still had a really great time. Avery is becoming much more of a challenge though. She is all over the place but of course not quite able to do or wanting to do the same things as Sam. This makes it a challenge to do by myself. But we made it work. And discovered some new things while we were at it!
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